10HY: Freedom Rides

What is the context of why the freedom rides happened?

Federal council for Aboriginal Advancement annual conference in Brisbane in 1961 expressed concerns about the double standards in Mungana, for example:

• nice houses for white residents and shanty houses for Aboriginal people.

In 1965, Charles Perkins, one of two Aboriginal students at the University of Sydney was keen to find a way to fight for Aboriginal equality.

What were the events that happened?

Charles Perkins instigated the formation of Student Action For Aborigines (SAFA)

The events of the freedom rides were influenced by the American civil rights movement

Perkins organised bus tour of western NSW town, where racism was most prevalent

He led 30 students to various locations and surveyed aboriginal people

Perkins' role propelled him to a position as a national aboriginal leader and spokesman

What was the biggest event that happened in Moree?

The Moree Pool had numerous racist policies in place, banning Aboriginal children from swimming at certain times and requiring them to shower before getting in the pool.

After temporarily allowing the children into the pool while the freedom riders were there, after they left, the ban was put back in place. The freedom riders came back, and after a vote from the residents of the town, the ban was completely lifted.

What was the events that happened at the pub?

Aboriginal soldiers who had fought in the wars were forbidden entry into the RSL except for the occasional ANZAC day.

What happened after the referendum?

In 1969, he begun works in the office of aboriginal affairs.

By 1984, Perkins was secretary to the department of aboriginal affairs the first aboriginal australian to attain such a position in the bureaucracy.

He played a key role on the boards of aboriginal arts, sport and media organisations.

He was a member of ATSIC (Australian and Torres Strait Islander Commision).